DGeMS

Ord. Wk 5th, Wednesday, 7th February,2018 (Mk7:14-23)

Dear Friend in the Lord,

Interior Peace: In today’s Gospel, Jesus explained, “Nothing that goes into someone from outside can make that person unclean; it is the things that come out that makes that person unclean.” While our “public reputation” is important, do we have deep peace, love and joy within our hearts and homes? Get to know Jesus more personally.

Fr Philip Heng, S.J

Jesus called the people to him again and said, ‘Listen to me, all of you, and understand. Nothing that goes into someone from outside can make that person unclean; it is the things that come out of someone that make that person unclean.

Anyone who has ears for listening should listen!’

When he had gone into the house, away from the crowd, his disciples questioned him about the parable. He said to them, ‘Even you -- don't you understand? Can't you see that nothing that goes into someone from outside can make that person unclean, because it goes not into the heart but into the stomach and passes into the sewer?

And he went on, ‘It is what comes out of someone that makes that person unclean. For it is from within, from the heart, that evil intentions emerge: fornication, theft, murder, adultery, avarice, malice, deceit, indecency, envy, slander, pride, folly. All these evil things come from within and make a person unclean.’

TODAY'S POINTERS ON GOD'S WORD As you read the passage what words, phases or meanings caught your attention?

•Jesus reminds us to be more aware of the evil thoughts and sinful desires of our hearts e.g. deceit, lust, envy etc. These will distance us from God.

•If we seek God’s forgiveness, He will always forgive us and give us the graces we need to overcome our evil inclinations and live more fully in His ways.

•Recall some moments in your life when the graces of God’s Mercy helped you to overcome the evil inclinations in your heart. Describe these moments of spiritual consolations in your Spiritual Diary.